"Non-Negotiables" Impacts

Daily read alouds will impact me as a teacher because it will be a time where we can relax and enjoy reading as a class.  Read alouds will impact my students because they will listen to books they may not be able to read on their own.  Student learning will be impacted because they will hear and see what a good reader looks like and does.

Building classroom community through morning meetings greatly benefits all.  It will be a time where we will get to know one another.  My class will be impacted because we will build a community in which we all feel safe and welcomed.  My students will be impacted because they will learn how to work and collaborate with one another.

Choosing a cliff or cliffette allows me to keep in mind the importance of building relationships with my students.  My students will benefit because they will get to know the differences we all have.  I want each student to feel important and loved in my classroom.

I have learned so much about the importance of play.  I truly believe students need time to just “play.”  I intend to make time for this each day whether it be free choice time or playing a class game.  My students will benefit because there is so much that can be learned through play such as sharing, taking turns, and working together.

Using a variety of teaching strategies will benefit my students because I will be meeting their many different needs.  Students will be instructed in the way they learn best.  Using a variety of teaching strategies will help me to learn more about myself as a teacher and reflect on what I can do differently.

“Non-Negotiables"

As I reflect on my summer learning and prepare for the upcoming school year, there are ideas/concepts/practices that I will not give up.

1.  Daily Read-Alouds: Throughout my summer research, I have read a lot about the importance of reading aloud to students.  It is important to read aloud to students daily no matter what age.  This helps students to hear a fluent reader, build comprehension, and be exposed to vocabulary words.   

2.  Classroom Community/Morning Meetings:  Each day, I have a morning meeting with my class where we greet one another and play a community building game.  This helps students to get to know one another and feel part of a team.

3.  Cliff/Cliffette:  It is important to me that I build a positive relationship with all my students.  I want all my students to feel noticed and important.

4.  Play:  Kids need to play.  I want to incorporate more play into my classroom this year.  I want my students to have fun and build positive relationships with one another.

5.  Instructional Strategies: I want to continue to use a variety of teaching strategies.  Last year, I incorporated Marzano’s six step vocabulary process.  This is something I plan on using again this year.